I was thinking about getting an insulin pump, but I am worried that Medicare will not cover it. Why does Medicare cover insulin pumps for some people and not for others? Barbara Florida Dear Barbara, Insulin pumps are covered under Medicare if you meet their insulin pump management criteria, insulin antibody test or C-Peptide test. If you are thinking about getting an insulin pump, this

There are ways to live with diabetes that allow for optimal health and relative freedom from complications. But to obtain them requires knowledge and know-how. It’s not unusual for a person who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes to be overwhelmed. It calls for a whole new lifestyle, including paying very close attention to diet, counting carbohydrates, exercising, and sometimes taking medication. So it’s not

The Year What a year I’ve had. From the spring of 2011 to the spring of 2012, my life changed utterly. There have been few years in my life more eventful, and few years that mixed joy and pain in such bracing amounts. With the year now done, I’m hesitant to draw any lessons–I just look back in amazement. In the spring of 2011, my

A Florida-based endocrinologist and his team have reported that an intensive 16-week wellness program aimed at type 2 patients yielded some dramatic results: Patients were able to decrease their insulin by 46 percent and their oral medication by 12 percent. They saw their 30-day prescription costs drop by an average of more than $140 per month, reduced their BMI by 3.07, and experienced a drop

I once had a doctor ask me what I’d do if someone offered me a drink or a cigarette. I was a teenager, recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and it was the first time that I had seen her. When I told her that I didn’t drink or smoke, she kept hounding me with questions as if I were lying. I grew tired of

Researchers in Taipei, Taiwan, report that they have identified the top three drugs for reducing A1C levels in type 2 diabetes: biphasic insulin, GLP-1 analogs, and basal insulin. They hedged a little on their endorsement of GLP-1 analogs, however, by saying that although they are not decisively better at controlling A1Cs than other oral diabetes drugs, they have the advantage of helping to reduce weight

It may be better for older people with type 2 diabetes to have less stringent A1C goals than younger type 2s, according to new guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. The recommendations, published on April 19, mark a change from previously accepted thought that everyone with type 2 diabetes should pursue an A1C below 7%. (The

Some people are perfectly happy divulging their three-month blood sugar average, known as an A1C, but I’d rather walk barefoot across hot coals than share my A1C number. It’s funny, because I’m actually kind of proud of it these days. It’s by no means perfect and could definitely stand to be lower, but I’ve come a long way. There was a time in my life

Need to take control of your diabetes and your health? Going to the doctor frequently might be just what the doctor ordered, according to a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital published last month. The researchers looked at how long it took type 2 patients to reach their goals in three areas: A1C levels, blood pressure, and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Those who interacted with doctors

Sugar Happy- Your Diabetes Health Guide

AskNadia

Dear Nadia, I have had Type 2 diabetes for five years. My doctor says if I lose 10 kilos in weight, diabetes may disappear. What do you think? Roland Dear Roland, Once you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it will not disappear if you lose weight. Some marketing people use the term reverse and cure diabetes while advocating juicing, eating a raw food diet

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